Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of common mental disorders among first-year university students in post-apartheid South Africa: implications for a public mental health approach to student wellness

Abstract Background Some findings indicate that university students are at higher risk of depression despite being a socially advantaged population, showing that 15 to 25% of them develop some type of mental disorder during graduation, and depression is one of the most prevalent. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with gender, material status, social health, and behavioral factors among university students. Methods The research represents a cross-sectional study conducted at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia. The research involved 455 first-year students. The average age of participants was 19.3 years (72.1% girls and 27.9% boys). Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to measure depressive symptoms (cut point for depressive episode ≥10). Additional questions were focused on self-assessed material status, social health, and behavioral factors (smoking and alcohol use). The binary logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between depression and observed independent variables. Results The prevalence of moderate to severe depressive episode among students was 18.0%, with no gender differences. Out of the total, 11.0% of students had suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting themselves. Multivariable logistic regression showed that self-assessed poor material status (OR = 2.04; 95%CI: 1.06-3.89), self-assessed poor social health (OR = 8.9; 95%CI:4.87-16.42) and smoking (OR = 2.18; 95%CI: 1.09-4.39) were significant predictors of depression among first-year university students. Conclusions High prevalence of depressive episode among university students call for the action for the promotion of mental health, particularly among those of lower socioeconomic status, and points out the importance of social health and social network in the prevention of mental disorders. Key messages Students on the first year of University should be screened for depressive symptoms. It is important to educate students on how to create a strong support network and to implement intervention programs for improving mental health through fostering healthy lifestyles change.

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Food insecurity and common mental disorders in perinatal women living in low socio-economic settings in Cape Town, South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cohort study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-692244/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zulfa Abrahams ◽

Crick Lund

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

South Africa ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Cape Town ◽

Baseline Risk ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Perinatal Women

Abstract Background Common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and anxiety are highly prevalent during the perinatal period, and are associated with poverty, food insecurity and domestic violence. We used data collected from perinatal women at two time-points during the COVID-19 pandemic to test the hypotheses that (1) socio-economic adversities at baseline would be associated with higher CMD prevalence at follow-up and (2) worse mental health at baseline would be associated with higher food insecurity prevalence at follow-up. Methods Telephonic interviews were conducted with perinatal women attending healthcare facilities in Cape Town, South Africa. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to model the associations of baseline risk factors with the prevalence of household food insecurity and CMD at 3 months follow-up. Results At baseline 859 women were recruited, of whom 217 (25%) were pregnant, 106 (12%) had probable CMD, and 375 (44%) were severely food insecure. At follow-up (n=634), 22 (4%) were still pregnant, 44 (7%) had probable CMD, and 207 (33%) were severely food insecure. In the multivariable regression model, after controlling for confounders, the odds of being food insecure at follow-up were greater in women who were unemployed [OR=2.05 (1.46-2.87); p<0.001] or had probable CMD [OR=2.37 (1.35-4.18); p=0.003] at baseline; and the odds of probable CMD at follow-up were greater in women with psychological distress [OR=2.81 (1.47-5.39); p=0.002] and abuse [OR=2.47 (1.47-4.39); p=0.007] at baseline. Conclusions This study highlights the complex bidirectional relationship between mental health and socioeconomic adversity among perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Evaluation of an HIV-risk reduction programme for first-year university students in South Africa

African Journal for Physical Health Education Recreation and Dance ◽

10.4314/ajpherd.v10i3.24665 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Karl Peltzer ◽

MW Bopape

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

University Students ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

First Year ◽

Hiv Risk Reduction ◽

First Year University

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Onset and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for three years after the triple disaster in Northeast Japan: comparisons with the general population

10.21203/rs.2.20074/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Norito Kawakami ◽

Maiko Fukasawa ◽

Kiyomi Sakata ◽

Ruriko Suzuki ◽

Hiroaki Tomita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

World Health ◽

First Year ◽

Temporary Housing ◽

Community Residents ◽

Post Disaster

Abstract Background: People living in temporary housing for long periods after a disaster are at risk of poor mental health. This study investigated the post-disaster incidence and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for the three years following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.Methods: Three years after the disaster, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1,089 adult residents living in temporary housing in the disaster area, i.e., the shelter group, and a random sample of 852 community residents from non-disaster areas of East Japan. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to diagnose DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders. Information on demographic variables and disaster experiences was also collected. Results: Response rates were 49% and 46% for the shelter group and the community residents, respectively. The incidence of mood/anxiety disorder in the shelter group was elevated only in the first year post-disaster compared to that of the general population. The rate of remission for mood and anxiety disorders was significantly lower in the shelter group than in the community residents. The proportion seeking medical treatment was higher in the shelter group.Conclusions: The onset of common mental disorders increased in the first year, but then levelled off in the following years among residents in temporary housing after the disaster. Remission from incident post-disaster mental disorders was slower in the shelter group than in the general population. Post-disaster mental health service could consider the greater incidence in the first year and prolonged remission of mental disorders among survivors with a long-term stay in temporary housing after a disaster.

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The epidemiological burden of major psychiatric disorders

Oxford Textbook of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1093/med/9780198792994.003.0009 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 73-84

Author(s):

Jennifer Dykxhoorn ◽

James B. Kirkbride

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Premature Mortality ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Key Issues

Psychiatric disorders, including common mental disorders, schizophrenia, and suicide, contribute substantially to the global burden of disease in terms of both morbidity and premature mortality, making them an important issue for public mental health. Epidemiological tools quantifying the burden of psychiatric disorders are important in furthering our understanding of psychiatric disorders and informing decision-making. In this chapter, we review major epidemiological studies from the past 30 years of psychiatric epidemiology to provide an overview of the burden of common mental disorders (depression and anxiety), psychotic disorders (schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders), and suicide. We also describe how the incidence and prevalence of these disorder vary by person and place, with a particular focus on the patterns of psychiatric disorders by ethnicity. Finally, we discuss the challenge of applying epidemiological evidence to public health, highlighting key issues facing public health professionals, researchers, and policymakers working in public mental health.

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Onset and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for three years after the triple disaster in Northeast Japan: comparisons with the general population

10.21203/rs.2.20074/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Norito Kawakami ◽

Maiko Fukasawa ◽

Kiyomi Sakata ◽

Ruriko Suzuki ◽

Hiroaki Tomita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

World Health ◽

First Year ◽

Temporary Housing ◽

Community Residents ◽

Post Disaster

Abstract Background: People living in temporary housing for long periods after a disaster are at risk of (developing) poor mental health. This study investigated the post-disaster incidence and remission of common mental disorders among adults living in temporary housing for the three years following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.Methods: Three years after the disaster, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 1,089 adult residents living in temporary housing in the disaster area, i.e., the shelter group, and a random sample of 852 community residents of East Japan. The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to diagnose DSM-IV mood, anxiety, and alcohol use disorders. Information on demographic variables and disaster experiences was also collected. Results: Response rates were 49% and 46%, for the shelter group and the community residents, respectively. The incidence of mood/anxiety disorder in the shelter group was elevated only in the first year post-disaster compared to that of the general population. The rate of remission for mood and anxiety disorders was significantly lower in the shelter group than in the community residents. The proportion seeking medical treatment was higher in the shelter group.Conclusions: The onset of common mental disorders increased in the first year, but then levelled off in the following years among residents in temporary housing after the disaster. Remission from incident post-disaster mental disorders was slower in the shelter group than in the general population. Post-disaster mental health service could consider the greater incidence in the first year and prolonged remission of mental disorders among survivors with a long-term stay in temporary housing after a disaster.

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